Retail and hospitality job descriptions
Store, restaurant, bar, and hotel roles for front line teams. 8 free, ready-to-post templates with May 2025 BLS pay data, exempt status guidance, legal notes, interview questions, and a PDF.
Retail stores, restaurants, and hotels hire more often than almost anyone else, so small improvements to the job description pay off quickly. In these jobs, applicants decide in seconds, usually on a phone. They want the hourly rate, the schedule, and what the work actually involves, and they move on if they can't find them.
These descriptions are short where they need to be and specific where it counts: tip structure, predictable scheduling, food handler and alcohol service rules, and the child labor limits that apply when you hire teenagers. They're written for single locations and multi-unit operators alike.
8 retail and hospitality job descriptions
Cashier
Also called front-end associate, checkout associate, customer service cashier.
Retail sales associate
Also called sales associate, retail associate, store associate.
Restaurant server
Also called waiter, waitress, food server.
Bartender
Also called bar staff, mixologist, service bartender.
Line cook
Also called cook, prep cook, grill cook.
Hotel front desk agent
Also called guest service agent, front desk clerk, night auditor (overnight).
Housekeeper
Also called room attendant, hotel housekeeper, housekeeping attendant.
Restaurant manager
Also called general manager (restaurant), assistant restaurant manager, kitchen manager.
Retail and hospitality pay snapshot
National median pay for every role in this department, highest to lowest. Use it as a starting point, then check local data before you set a range.
| Role | Median hourly | Annual equivalent | Overtime status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Restaurant manager | $33.36 | $69,390 | Exempt or nonexempt |
| Line cook | $17.98 | $37,400 | Nonexempt |
| Housekeeper | $17.07 | $35,510 | Nonexempt |
| Retail sales associate | $17.03 | $35,420 | Nonexempt |
| Restaurant server | $16.94 | $35,240 | Nonexempt |
| Hotel front desk agent | $16.86 | $35,070 | Nonexempt |
| Bartender | $16.51 | $34,340 | Nonexempt |
| Cashier | $15.81 | $32,880 | Nonexempt |
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025. Annual equivalent is the hourly median x 2,080 hours. Overtime status is our general guidance; duties and pay decide each case.
Retail and hospitality hiring FAQ
How do I write a job description for hourly retail or restaurant roles?
Can I advertise tips as part of pay?
What laws matter most for hospitality hiring?
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